Win dm ill-regulator



(No Model.) 2Sheets'-Sheet 1.

'H. L. FERRiS.

- WINDMILL REGULATOR- .No.- 351,503. Patented Oct. 26, 1886.

WITNESSES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

'H. L. FERRIS.

WINDM'ILI} REGULATOR.

Patented'O t. 26, 1886.

WITNESSES:

BY V

, v ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFI E.

' HENRY-L. reams,- OF HARVARD, ILLINOIS.

WlNDMlLL-REGULATOR.

BPECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 351,503, dated October 26, 1886.

Application filed January 24, 1885. Serial No. 153,876. [No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY L. FERRIS, a resident of Harvard, in the county of McHenry and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Windmill- Regulators; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

My invention is an improved mechanism adapted to be attached to the tower of a windmill and connected with the pump-rod thereof, and with the cord .or rod, by means of which the wind-wheel is thrown out of the wind, the construction of the mechanism and its connection with the other parts named being such that a given number of strokes of the pump-rod will release a weight or other power attached to said cord, and thus draw the wheel out of the wind.

The'invention is described and explained in the following specification, and one form thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the mechanism, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow a, Fig. 3, and the arrow a, Fig. 4; Fig.2, a side elevation thereof, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow a, Fig. 1, and

" the arrow a", Fig. 4; Fig. 3, a side elevation of the same, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow (1, Fig. l, and the arrow a", Fig. 4; Fig. 4, a top plan of same, Fig. 5, a detail view showing connection of hook P andlug or catch M, the catch being cut by a vertical plane immediately in front of the hook, as shown in Fig. 3.

In these views, A is one of the corner-posts of a windmill-tower of ordinary construction, and B a horizontal timber bolted .to the two posts forming one of the sides of the tower.

F'is the pump-rod of the mill; 0, the cord, wire, or rod by means of which the windwbeel may be drawn out of the wind from the foot of the tower; and T a lever to which the lower end of the cord 0 is fastened, one end of the lever being pivoted to the post A by means. of a pin or bolt, T, and the other end being provided with a weight,.R, sufficiently heavy to draw the wind-wheel out of the wind.

The end of the cord 0 may be fastened to the lever T in any desired-manner; but I prefer to fasten it, as shown in Fig. 3, by means of a long bolt extending through the lever and hav ing an eye, 0, above the lever, and a head", 0, below it, a spring being interposed between the head of the bolt and the lower surface of the lever totake up any shock or jar of'the parts.

To thelever T is pivoted, on a pin, S, an upwardly-extending bar, P, formed at the upper end into a hook, P, and when the lever is raised sufficiently to allow the wind-wheel to stand in the wind this hook is in position to engage with and be supported by a lug, M, formed upon or attached to a rigid frame, 0, which rests on and is bolted to the upper surface of the timber B. The hook is brought into engagement with the lug by raising it to the proper height and moving it in the direction indicated by the arrow to, Fig. 3, and a lip, M, formed on the lug, extends along the side face of the hook when in engagement, and prevents'its disengagement except when moved in the direction indicated by the arrowa in said Fig. 3.

It is evident that so long as the hook is in engagement with the lug the weight R is supported by the stationary frame 0, and has no effect on the cord 0 or on the wind-wheel; but that if the hook be disengaged from the lug and allowed to drop down the weight will act on the cord and draw the wind-wheel out of the wind.

The'mechanisnn by means of which the pumprod disengagesthe hook from the lug is mounted on the frame 0 and is constructed as follows: A lever, E, pivoted at one end to the pumprod and at the other end to the frame 0, is provided with a dependent gravity pawl, K, which engages with the teeth of a ratchetwheel, D, the wheel being rigidly mounted on a horizontal shaft, '5, which is journaled in the frame C. At each upward motion ofthe pump; rod the pawl K turns the wheel in the direction indicated by the arrow 'on the wheel in Fig. 1, and a pawl, K,pivoted to the frame 0, prevents backward rotation of the wheel during the downward stroke of the pump-rod. The pawl K is pivoted to the lever E at such apoint as to move, at each stroke of the pumprod, through a space not less than one,but less than two, of the spaces between the teeth of the ratcl let wheel, and the wheel therefore turns through one such space at each upward stroke of the pumprod.

On the opposite end of the shait i from the ratchet-wheel D is a worm, V, Fig. 2, which engages with a toothed wheel, I, and one complete rotation of the shaft 1' and worm V turns the wheel I in the direction indicated by the arrow on its face in Fig. 2, through a space equal to the distance between two contiguous teeth. The wheel I is rigidly mounted on a short horizontal shalt,i,journaled in the frame 0, and on the outer end of said shaft is a rig idly-mounted ratchetplate J and a looselymountcd dialplate, H, of greater diameter than the ratchet-plate, and connected therewith by a spring-pawl, N, pivoted to the dial and engaging the teeth of the ratchet-plate. As the wheel I rotates, the ratchet-plate J turns with it in the direction indicated by the arrow on the plate in Fig. 3, and the pawland-ratchet connection of the plate and dial insures the rotation of the latter in the same direction. A tooth, 1), projects from the periphery of the dial and is ot'such length as to strike the hook P and force it from the lug M, thus bringing the weight R to bear upon the cord It, and throwing the wind-wheel out ofthe wind. \Vhile the pawl-and-ratchet connection of the plate J and dial H forces the dial to rotate when the plate rotates, it also permits the independent rotation of the dial for the purpose of setting it in any desired position.

The gearing connecting the lever E and the dial may of course be so varied as to give one complete rotation of the dial for any desired number of strokes of the lever. In the machine illustrated in the drawings the gearing is such as to turn the dial once for every six thousand strokes of the lever, and each of the smallest divisions on the dial represents one hundred strokes of the lever or of the pumprod, which is the same thing. This being known, the nmiibor ot'strokcs of the pump-rod required to rotate the dial from any given po sition to the position in wh ch thetoot-h b shall strike and disengage the hook P, and so throw the wind-wheel out of the wind, may be readily determined. Thus, from the positionshown in Fig. 3, the dial should be so far rotated as to throw 011 the hook at the end of about four hundred strokes of the pinup-rod; and it is evident that the dial may be so set that any number of strokes, from a single one up to six thousand, shall disengage the hook. By the use of this mechanism, then, it is possible to set a positive limit to theamountot' work a windmill shall do before go 11501113 of working position, and the operator having set the dial at any desired point, can leave his mill with the assurance that when the limit of work is reached the mili will cease to run.

I have made the limit of the dial in the machine, as I have put it into use, at six thousand strokes of the pump-rod, as being sufficient for all ordinary purposes of a pumpingmill; but it is unnecessary tosay that this limit may be indefinitely increased without the use of very complicated gearing. The movement of the parts is so slow that their friction is inappreciable, and the gearing requires no such nicety of construction as is necessary in many machines.

It is evident that the gearing which connects the pump'rod with the regulating-cord 0 may berariedinan almostunlimitednumberof ways withoutin any degree affecting the gist of my invention; and I desire, therefore, not to limit my invention to any particular form of gearing. I am aware, however, that there are already in use a number ofdevices for drawing the windwheel ofa windmill out of the wind afterthe mill has pumped a given amount of water. The best known example of devices of the class referred to is that in which a bucket is attached to the cord which draws the mill out of the wind, the bucket being connected with an overflow-pipe from a tank or other water-reservoir. \Vhen the tank has been filled to a given height by water pumped by the mill, it overflows into the bucket, thus increasing the weight of the bucket sufficiently to draw the wind-whcelout of the wind. There are other devices in which the mill is drawn out of the wind by means of the increased weight of the tank when the requisite amount of water has been pumped, and it is evident that a great number of forms may be devised for the same purpose, all depending for their operation on the amount of water pumped by the mill. The mechanism shown and described in this application operates, however, upon an entirely different principle, since its action is wholly independent of the amount of water pumped by the mill. It is evidentthat this device operates precisely the same whether the amount of water raised at each upward stroke-of the pump-rod be great or small, or even if the pump-rod be wholly disconnected from the pump. In other words, this mechanism is av positive connection of the pump-rod and the regulating'cord ofthe mi1l,by means of which themill is drawn out ofthe wind through the motion of the pumprodwithout reference to the amount of work performed by the rod. So far as I know, the device shown and de scribed herein is the first of its class, and that being the case I do not desire tolimit the scope of my invention to any particular form of mechanism. The means necessary to accomplish the result desired are exceedingly simple, as is evident from an examination of this application, and after the way is once opened by the construction and exhibition of a single machine of the class,any mechanic of ordinary skill can devise number-less forms equally adapted to perform the same work.

I have not shown any part of the upper works of a windmill, since in all pumping mills the power is transmitted through a pump rod, and in all such mills a cord or wire runs ICO down through themill to the foot of thetower, and affordsa means of drawing thawind-wheel out of the wind. These devices are so well known that no illustration of them is necessary, and I have therefore shown only the connection of the pump-rod and regulating-cord with the weight-releasing mechanism.

The frame 0 is represented and spoken of as attached to the tower. It may, however, be attached to any stationary support, conveniently located for connecting with the pump-rod and cord 0.

It is evident that a spring may be substituted for the weight R, if desired.

Having now described my invention and explained its operation, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with the pumprod of a windmill, the cord by means of which the wind-wheel of the mill may be drawn out of the Wind, and a weight or its described equivaleut connected with the cord and sufficient to draw the wind-wheel out of the wind, of a support for the weight independent ofthe cord, and mechanism connected with the pump-rod and adapted to release the weight from its support,whereby the motion of the pump-rod releases the weight, actuatesthe cord, and draws the wind-wheel out of the wind.

2. The combination, with the reciprocating pump-rod of a windmill, the cord by means of which the wind-wheel of the mill may be drawn out of the wind, and a weight or its described equivalent connected with cord and adapted to actuate the same, of a support for the weight independent of the cord, mechanism connected with thepump-rod and adapted to convert its'reciprocal into rotary motion, and mechanism connected with the converting device and adapted to release the weight from its support, whereby the operation of the con' verting device releases the weight, actuates the cord, and draws the wind-wheel out of the wind.

3. The combination, with the reciprocating pump-rod of a windmill, the cord by means of which the wind-wheel of the mill may be drawn out of the wind, and a weight or its equivalent connected with the cord and adapted to actuate the same, of a support for the weight in dependent ofthecord,a rotating ratchet-wheel, a pawl connected with the pump-rod and engaging with said ratchet-wheel, whereby the reciprocal motion of the pu nip-rod rotates the ratchet-wheel, and mechanism con'nectedwith and actuated by said ratchet-wheel, whereby a given rotation of the ratchet-wheel releases the weight from its support, and actuates the cord.

4. The combination, with the reciprocating pump-rod of a windmill, the cord by means of which the wind-wheel of the mill may be drawn out of the wind, and a weight or its described equivalent connected with the cord, and adapt ed to actuate the same, of a support for the weight independent of the cord, means connected with the pump-rod, and adapted to cone out of the wind, and a weight or its equivalent connected with the cordand adapted to actuate the same, of a support for the weight independent of the cord, a ratchet-wheel, a pawl connected with the pump-rod and engaging the ratchet-wheel, whereby the reciprocal motion of the pump-rod rotates the ratchet-wheel, and mechanism connected with the ratchet-wheel, whereby the rotation of the ratchet wheel through a given angular space may release the weight from its support, the weight-releasing device being adjustable with reference to the point of support of the weight, wherebythe amount of rotation of the ratchetwheel required to release the weight may be varied at will.

6. The combination, in a mechanism for the purpose set forth, of a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism, or its equivalent, adapted to be connected with the pump-rod of a windmill, and to convert the reciprocal motion thereof into rotary motion, a weight adapted to be connected with and actuate the regulatingcord of the mill, a support for the weight, and

mechanism whereby the motion of the pawland-ratchet devicemay release the weight from its support.

7. The combination, with the pumprod of a windmill, the cord by means of which the wind-wheel of the mill may be drawn out of the wind, and a weight or its equivalent connected with the cord and adapted to actuate thesame, of a support for the weight independent of the cord, a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism connected with the pump rod, and adapted to convert the reciprocal mo tion thereof into rotary motion, a suitablyjournaled shaft receiving rotary motion from said pawl-and-ratchet mechanism, and a tooth or projection rotating in unison with said shaft, and adapted after a given rotation of said shaft to reach the point ofsupport of said weight and disengage the weight from itssupport.

8. The combination, with the pump-rod of va windmill, the cord by means whereof the wind-wheel of the mill may be drawn out of v the wind, and a weight or its equivalent connected with and adapted to actuate the cord, of a support for the weight independent of the cord, a pawland-ratchet mechanism connected with the pump-rod and adapted to convert the reciprocal motion thereof into rotary motion, asuitably-journaled shaft receiving rotary motion from said pawl-and-ratchet mechanism, and a tooth or projection rotating with said shaft and adapted, after a given rotation of the shaft, to reach the point of support of the weightand to release the weightfrom itssupport, the distance between said tooth or projection being adjustable at will, whereby the amount of rotation of the shaft required to re lease the weight may be varied.

9. The combination, with the pump rod of a windmill, the cord by means of which the windwheel may be drawn out of the wind,and a weight or spring attached to said cord and sufficient to draw the wind-wheel out of the wind, of means for supporting said weight or spring independently of said cord, a rotating wheel or plate provided with a tooth adapted to disengage said weight or spring from its support, and an intermediate pawl-and-ratchet mechanism, or its equivalent, connected with the pump-rod and the plate, whereby each stroke of the pump-rod shall rotate said plate through a given distance, and a given number of strokes of the rod shall rotate the plate from any given position to that position in which said tooth shall detach said weight or spring from its support and bring it to bear on said cord, and thus throw the wind-wheel out of the wind.

10. The combination, with the pump-rod of a windmill, the cord by which the windwheel may be drawn out of the wind, and a weight or spring attached to said cord and sufiicient to draw the wiudwheel out of the wind, of means for supporting said weight or spring independently of said cord, a rotating dial adapted upon reaching a certain point in its rotation to disengage said weight or spring from its support, and an intermediate pawland-ratchet mechanism, or its equivalent, connected with the pump-rod and the dial, whereby a fixed number ofstrokes ofthe pumprod rotates said dial through an angularspace of three hundred and sixty degrees, and a proportionate number of strokes rotates it through the angular space indicated by one of the divisions on the dial.

11. The combination, with the pump-rod of awindmill, the cord by which the wind-wheel may be drawn out of the wind, and a weight or spring attached to said cord and-sufficient to draw the wind-wheel out of the wind, of means of supporting said weight or spring independently of said cord, a rotating dial adapted on reaching a certain point in its rotation to disengage said weight or spring from its support, an intermediate pawl-and-ratchet mechanism, or its equivalent, connected with the pump-rod and the dial, whereby a certain number of strokes of the pump-rod rotates the dial through an angular space of three hundred and sixty degrees, and a proportionate number of strokes rotates it through one of the spaces on the dial, and means whereby said dial may be rotated independently of the pawl-and-ratchet mechanism, and thus set in v any desired position.

wind-wheel may be drawn out of the wind, and a weight or spring attached to said cord and suiiicient to draw the wind-wheel out of the wind, of means forsupporting said weight or spring independently of the cord, a rotating dial adapted on reaching a certain point in each rotation to detach said weight or spring from its support and bring it to bear on said cord,a rotating ratchet-wheel, a pawl engaging with said ratchet-wheel and connected with the pump-rod, whereby each stroke of the pump-rod rotates said ratchet-wheel through a given angular space, and means connecting said ratchet-wheel with said dial, whereby the rotation of the ratchet-wheel is communicated to the dial,

13. The combination of the ratchet-wheel D, the pawl K, engaging the ratchet-wheel, and the lever E, connecting the pawl with the pump'rod of a windmill, the weight-supporting hook P, and a support therefor, the dial H, provided with a tooth or lug adapted to disengage the hook from its support, and speedvarying mechanism connecting the ratchet wheel and the dial, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

14. The combination, with the pump-rod F, of the shaft i, the ratchet-plate J, mounted rig idly thereon, and the dial H, mounted loosely thereon, the wring-pawl N, connecting the plate J and dial H, and a pawl-andratchet mechanism, or its equivalent, adapted to conneet the shaft i with the pumprod, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

15. The combination, with the pump-rod F of a windmill, the cord 0, by means of which the wind-wheel ot' the mill may be drawn out of the wind, the pivoted lever T, to which the cord is fastened, the weight R, or its equivalent, attached to the lever, the hook P and stationary lug M, supporting said lever, the shaft i, adapted, when rotated through a suflicient angular space, to disengage the hook from the lug, and a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism connecting the pump-rod and the shaft 2', whereby the reciprocal motion of the pump-rod 1'0- tates the shaft 2', substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

16. The combination, with the pump-rod F, of the lever E, receiving reciprocal motion from the pump-rod, the ratchet-wheel D, and its shaft 1', the pawl K, attached to the lever E and engaging the ratchetwheel D, the worm V, formedon the shaft i, and the toothed wheel I, engaging with the worm, the ratchet-plate J, rotating with the wheel I, the dial H, and the spring-pawl N, connecting the plate J and the dial, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY L. FERRIS.

\Vitnesses:

LUDWIG SoHMEIssER, J. G. CALLENDER. 

